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RDF graphs

TL;DR

Visualizing RDF graphs is useful when you need to present your RDF data, highlight specific patterns, understand its structure, or debug it. To see it in action, you can play with the example RDF graph visualization below or automatically create one for your own RDF data.

Introduction

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) provides a unique way to capture/represent information. In this model, the information is built up from subject–predicate–object triples, each acting as a statement/fact that connects the subject and the object through the predicate.

RDF is used in a variety of applications, including the Semantic Web, knowledge graphs, data integration, and data exchange/interchange. It is really good for highly interconnected data such as social networks and the Internet of Things (IoT) device networks.

RDF datasets are graphs

Here's an example of a small RDF dataset expressed in the Turtle syntax:

@prefix ex: <http://example.org/> .
@prefix foaf: <http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/> .

ex:John foaf:knows ex:Mary .
ex:Mary foaf:knows ex:Tom .

This dataset consists of two facts: John knows Mary and Mary knows Tom. Intuitively, the dataset represents a social network (a graph) involving three people/resources who are connected to each other through two foaf:knows relationship.

Visualizing RDF graphs

The graph "feature" of RDF makes it a natural fit for visual presentation and exploration. Even if you draw them by hand, RDF graphs are very helpful when you want to demo your data or highlight specific patterns.

You can visualize RDF graphs using the tool below. Paste RDF data in the Turtle syntax to generate the graph visualization.

RDF data (Turtle)

@base <http://example.org/> .
@prefix foaf: <http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/> .
@prefix wd: <http://www.wikidata.org/entity/> .

# Alice, Bob, and Carol
<alice> a foaf:Person ;
  foaf:name "Alice" .
<bob> a foaf:Person ;
  foaf:name "Bob" .
<carol> a foaf:Person ;
  foaf:name "Carol" .

# Alice knows Bob and Carol
<alice> foaf:knows <bob> .
<bob> foaf:knows <alice> .
<alice> foaf:knows <carol> .
<carol> foaf:knows <alice> .

# Alice watched two movies
<alice> <watched> wd:Q44578 . # Titanic
<alice> <watched> wd:Q488655 . # Groundhog Day

# Bob watched three movies
<bob> <watched> wd:Q36479 . # The Lion King
<bob> <watched> wd:Q83495 . # The Matrix
<bob> <watched> wd:Q91540 . # Back to the Future

# Carol watched one movie
<carol> <watched> wd:Q44578 . # Titanic
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@base <http://example.org/> .
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@prefix foaf: <http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/> .
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@prefix wd: <http://www.wikidata.org/entity/> .
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# Alice, Bob, and Carol
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<alice> a foaf:Person ;
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  foaf:name "Alice" .
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<bob> a foaf:Person ;
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  foaf:name "Bob" .
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<carol> a foaf:Person ;
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  foaf:name "Carol" .
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# Alice knows Bob and Carol
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<alice> foaf:knows <bob> .
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<bob> foaf:knows <alice> .
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<alice> foaf:knows <carol> .
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<carol> foaf:knows <alice> .
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# Alice watched two movies
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<alice> <watched> wd:Q44578 . # Titanic
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<alice> <watched> wd:Q488655 . # Groundhog Day
22

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# Bob watched three movies
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<bob> <watched> wd:Q36479 . # The Lion King
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<bob> <watched> wd:Q83495 . # The Matrix
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<bob> <watched> wd:Q91540 . # Back to the Future
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# Carol watched one movie
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<carol> <watched> wd:Q44578 . # Titanic
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The RDF dataset to visualize.

Show rdf:type edges

Show literals

Graph

Use ⌘ + scroll (ctrl + scroll) to zoom the graph

Use two fingers to move the graph

RDF graphs

TL;DR

Introduction

RDF datasets are graphs

Visualizing RDF graphs

See also